At the time of the acquisition of Florida, and of the admission of Maine and Missouri, Texas, hitherto a Mexican province, revolted and declared itself a republic. On the 12th of January, 1828, a boundary treaty was concluded between Texas and the United States, but political events soon obscured both the treaty and the boundary, and the treaty proved only a prelude to an aggressive proslavery policy directed to the acquisition both of Texas and California. The issues of this policy divided the country, and called forth resolutions from many of the State Legislatures. The organization of Territories and the admission of States kept pace with the movements and the increase of population. At the close of the third decade of the century the line of the frontier extended five thousand three hundred miles, and the settled area comprised nearly six hundred and thirty-three thousand square miles. The population numbered about thirteen millions,* nearly all of whom were native-born. Two and one-third millions were of the African race, the third of a million being free persons of color. The most significant change in population was shown in the increase in the number and size of cities. Nearly nine hundred thousand people † were now living in cities, each having a population of eight thousand or more-and thirty-two towns ranked as cities. The five largest were New York, Balti tions of the Legislature of Maine, January 19, 1832, published with the laws of that year. See Note, p. 340. * 12,866,020. + 864,509. The Beginning of Chicago more, Philadelphia, Boston, and New Orleans. The increase in city population signified that the country was changing from one of agriculture to one of manufacturing pursuits. City government as yet scarcely existed. State constitutions made no direct provision for it, as, at the time of their formation, there were few cities. Cities and towns were, with few exceptions, a part of the government of the township or county in which they were located. But the rapid increase of the city vote soon led to demands for new apportionments of representation. This signified that in every State containing a large city two political interests-the rural and the urban-were struggling to control legislation. On the 27th of September, 1830, the foundations were laid of a city destined in two generations to become the second most populous on the continent. On that day three hundred and twenty acres, surveyed as in-lots and out-lots at Chicago, were offered for sale, and about one-half of the inlots were sold for nearly seven thousand dollars in cash. A person present at the sale recorded at the time that there was not then a freeholder within a hundred miles of the place.* Chicago * Extract from manuscript letter: Thomas Forster Esquire CHICAGO ILLINOISE October 13th 1830. * * * this section where the town of Chicago is laid out is No. 9, the south side of it, 320 acres, was laid out in Inlots and out-lots and sold for the use of the canal the sale comenced on 27 ult. about the one-half of the Inlots were sold, and a fiew peaces of land the commissioners Received upwardes of $7000 in cash here for what lots were sold. before said sale there was not one freeholder within 100 miles of this place that held one had been for centuries the rendezvous of the Indian tribes; it was known to the early French explorers, and was laid down on their maps as early as foot of land. the Engineers of the united states Mr. Nicholson and Mr. Gyon has been here all most all season they surveyed the harbour and fixed the place to open the bar it is 400 yds from 15 feet water in the lake to 20 feet water in Chicago River about 100 yds wide & caries its depth & width for miles in the town the River forks, and Each branch is as large as the whole branch or River and as deep the town is laid out part on Each side of the River to the forks which is East and west more than half a mile then one branch comes from the north and the other from the south at right angles and part of the town is in the forks-and about of the lots sold is about Equal in all the 3 parts of the town Each branch 100 yds wide there can be no beter harbour if the barr is opened and any vessel can turn Round that sales the lakes-within it Mr. Nicholson has been sick and could do no buisiness and is now gone to the south about 200 miles for his health Mr. Gyon the united states Engineer & also an Engineer Imployed by the state from the state of Kentucky near the falls they have been out with a parol of solders from the Garrison for hands about 14 days Examining the country &c and not on stake set for the canal --some of the canal commissioners are here wating patiently to hear. the result of the Exploring of the two Engineers one for the state the other for the US-It is very proble that the canal will be comenced next spring the commissioners inform me that they will set out this fall 10 miles for Excuvation but I have my doubts about it. there is nothing but the fear of the U. S. taking advantage of the time of comencing the canal, to Hold the land granted by congress. Sir. I have given you a history of some parts of this Country having travled some thrug it and meeting with numbers of gentlemen from different parts of the state of the first Information, and of talents, altho I was not in a good state of health part I have Indeavored to gether all the Information in my power for the time,-on last saturday the Indians drew at this place their annuity great preperations was made by numerous traders and marchants &c by bulding huts some with logs some in tents & other in bord shanties, but from the best Information I could gether the Cheafs caried off above one third of the cash to their vilages to make the dividend at home with their tribes but the traders will follow and pick it up from them at home but the traders all came far short if their Expecttations*** Very Respectfuly I Remain your Most obedient Humble Srvt. |